Point of Grace Online Worship - October 26, 2025

Point of Grace Worship 10.26.25  “Experience Jesus. Really.”  Part 4 

The “plea”?

“Keep choosing God.
     Then choose Him again.
     And then again.
     This is your task, your daily calling, (every day for the rest of your life) whatever else you might be up to.  Everything around you is pulling against it like a riptide. 
     I wish One Great Choosing on our part would take are of things for the rest of our lives, but it doesn’t work that way.  We live in story not a painting.  Things are very dynamic, as we saw in Psalm 91; you have to keep choosing and choosing and choosing Jesus above all things.  This is how we love him and take refuge in Him.”
(Experience Jesus. Really. Pg.237) 

Genesis 3:9 But the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?”

Psalm 91:1-2   Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”

Matthew 11:28-30 (MSG)Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”

Matthew 4:19 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” 

John 7:37-38 On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.”

John 15:4-5 Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.  “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 

Notice with Jesus …. there is “Plea” and “Promise”!

Romans 12:1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 

2 Corinthians 5:21   We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.

Hebrews 12:1-3 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.  Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Intentional daily rhythms of experiencing Jesus (Word and Prayer) help us “fix our eyes on Him so we run our race well” and help us “throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles”.

Resistance from the devil, the world and our sinful nature (self-life) is great! 
They do not want us to “take refuge” in God and find our hope, peace and joy in His Presence.

The Problem is we want two things that are in fundamental conflict.

Hebrews 12:15-17
See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many. See that no one is sexually immoral, or is godless like Esau, who for a single meal sold his inheritance rights as the oldest son. Afterward, as you know, when he wanted to inherit this blessing, he was rejected. Even though he sought the blessing with tears, he could not change what he had done.

Genesis 25:29-34
Once when Jacob was cooking some stew, Esau came in from the open country, famished. He said to Jacob, “Quick, let me have some of that red stew! I’m famished!” (That is why he was also called Edom.)
Jacob replied, “First sell me your birthright.”
“Look, I am about to die,” Esau said. “What good is the birthright to me?”
But Jacob said, “Swear to me first.” So he swore an oath to him, selling his birthright to Jacob.
Then Jacob gave Esau some bread and some lentil stew. He ate and drank, and then got up and left.
So Esau despised his birthright.

Esau chose temporary relief over God and His blessing.

One foot on the dock and the other on the dock is the most dangerous place to be.

“Friends, the only safe place in the cosmos is to be situated deeply in Christ……the practices I have presented in this book are swimming lessons for mystics.  If you do practice them, swimming in the ocean of God will become second nature”
It’s the only safe place in the cosmos.

“So choose God. 
Choose Him again.
And then again.
This is your daily task for the rest of your life”
(Experience Jesus. Really)

Point of Grace Online Worship - October 19, 2025

Point of Grace Worship 10.19.25 JESUS: THE INTEGRATING CENTER OF ALL THINGS 

Welcoming Our Savior into the Broken Places of Our Lives 

THE PROBLEM WE FACE 

John 20:19-20

On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together with the doors locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 20 After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. 

WHY DOES JESUS WANT TO COME INTO OUR LOCKED ROOMS?  

1 - BECAUSE OF WHO HE IS!  

Colossians 1:15-17

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 

2 Corinthians 4:7

We have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. 

2 Corinthians 5:17

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ He is a new creation; the old has gone, and the new has come!” 

2 - BECAUSE OF WHY HE CAME!  

Isaiah 61:1-3

The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners…to comfort those who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord, for the display of his splendor. 

OUR RESPONSE:

To Invite Him Into the Fragmented Places of Our Heart and Life 

Revelation 3:20

Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him and he with me. 

John 20:20

And the disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. 

John 1:4-5 

In him was life, and that life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. 

Point of Grace Online Worship - October 12, 2025

Point of Grace Worship 10.12.25  “Experience Jesus. Really.”  Part 2  

Jesus is our Refuge – As we experience His Presence, Truth and Love we experience His Refuge

“Finding Refuge, Strength and Wonder Through Everyday Encounters with God”

Psalm 91:1-2
Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”

Psalm 62:5-8
Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him.
Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.
My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge.
Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.

We need refuge.

John 15:4-11
Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.  If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love.  I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.

How?

We get to:

-        Actively engage the refuge God has already given. Notice the verbs.

-        Relearn the lost art of lingering… linger in prayer … linger over His Word… linger in His presence.

-        Set the table with an opening prayer like,
“Jesus, I give you everyone and everything… “(repeat several times naming people and things to relinquish)
 Restore my union with You, Jesus, restore our union.
 Come Holy Spirit, fill me afresh.”(Ask the Holy Spirit for His presence and help as you pray.)

-        Linger with Jesus, repeating declarations of His Truth and His Love while listening and receiving the refuge of His Presence.

Our heart and soul are restored through union with Christ – as we take refuge in Him. 
It is our greatest need in the hour we now live.

In October we are invited into a deeper experience of Jesus.

-        Four weekly sermons and themes

-        A daily guided prayer experience (am and pm)

    Download the “One Minute Pause” app and go to the “Experience Jesus” program

-        Read the book, “Experiencing Jesus. Really.”

-        Some of our Grow Groups are taking this journey in community.

WHO I AM IN CHRIST – Taking Refuge in the Truth and Love of God 

I AM ACCEPTED...

• I am a lavishly loved child of God.  (John 1:12, 1 Jn 3:1)
• As a disciple, I am a friend of Jesus Christ. (John 15:15)
• I have been justified (declared righteous). (Romans 5:1)
• I am united with the Lord, and I am one with Him in spirit. (1 Corinthians 6:17)
• I have been bought with a price and I belong to God. (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)
• I am a member of Christ's body. (1 Corinthians 12:27)
• I have been chosen by God and adopted as His child. (Ephesians 1:3-8)
• I have been redeemed and forgiven of all my sins. (Colossians 1:13-14)
• I am complete in Christ. (Colossians 2:9-10)
• I have direct access to the throne of grace through Jesus Christ. (Hebrews 4:14-16)

I AM SECURE...

• I am free from condemnation. (Romans 8:1-2)
• I am assured that God works for my good in all circumstances. (Romans 8:28)
• I am free from any condemnation against me and cannot be separated from the love of God. (Romans 8:31-39)
• I have been established, anointed and sealed by God. (2 Corinthians 1:21-22)
• I am hidden with Christ in God. (Colossians 3:1-4)
• I am confident that God will complete the good work He started in me. (Philippians 1:6)
• I am a citizen of heaven. (Philippians 3:20)
• I have not been given a spirit of fear but of power, love and a sound mind. (2 Timothy 1:10)
• I am born of God and the evil one cannot touch me. (1 John 5:18)

I AM SIGNIFICANT...

• I am a branch of Jesus Christ, the true vine, and a channel of His life. (John 15:5)
• I have been chosen and appointed to bear fruit. (John 15:16)
• I am God's temple. (1 Corinthians 3:16)
• I am a minister of reconciliation for God. (2 Corinthians 5:17-21)
• I am seated with Jesus Christ in the heavenly realm. (Ephesians 2:6)
• I am God's workmanship. (Ephesians 2:10)
• I may approach God with freedom and confidence. (Ephesians 3:12)
• I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13)

(adapted from the book by Neil Anderson, Victory in Christ)

Point of Grace Online Worship - October 5, 2025

Point of Grace Worship 10.5.25  “Experience Jesus. Really.”  Part 1 

Am I a Disciple of the Internet?

“Repeated processes shape the soul; this has been core to discipleship for millennia.
It was inevitable that years of Internet life would shape our souls whether we wanted it or not.  As a friend said, ‘It’s not that we’ve done something wrong; something wrong has been done to us.’

Discipleship to the Internet has shaped our soul
  -to expect immediate answers to your questions,
  -given you a deep suspicion to all forms of mystery,
  -fueled your addiction that the ‘practical’ is the real stuff of life,
  -while eroding your confidence that you can know anything for certain because
    yesterday’s facts are savagely overturned.

We are all worn out from this way of operating in the world because there is not life in it. 
There is no life in it.
No wonder people have a hard time ‘experiencing’ Jesus….”  Experience Jesus. Really. By John Eldridge 

Luke 11:38-42
As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him.  She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked,
 “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”

41 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, 
 but few things are needed—or indeed only one.
Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

Jesus reorients life so it is oriented around the experience of Him who leads us

from “many-ness” to “one-ness”
            from “scattered” to “gathered”
            from “fragmented” to “wholeness”
            from “many gods” to “One God”
            from “more content” to “One truth”
            from “many worries” to “one peace”
            from “many anxieties” to “one refuge”
            from “many ……..” to “one ……..”

Maturing in the fullness of life in Jesus is a journey to be taken.

In October we are invited into a deeper experience of life with Jesus.

-        Four weekly sermons and themes

-        A daily guided prayer experience (am and pm)

    Download the “One Minute Pause” app  and go to the “Experience Jesus” program

-        Read the book, “Experiencing Jesus. Really.”

-        Some of our Grow Groups are taking this journey in community.

Point of Grace Online Worship - September 28, 2025

Point of Grace Worship 9.28.25      “You are Invited … into His beautiful Kingdom” Pt. 4

Part 4 – God’s Kingdom Community – The Beauty of Belonging

We all know what it feels like to “Belong” … to fit in … to have our presence legitimized.

We also know times when we didn’t “belong” … didn’t fit in … our presence was not wanted.

“the other”

God responds to a broken divided world with “philoxenia”!

Literally “love for the stranger” – hospitality!

Exodus 22:21  “Do not mistreat or oppress a foreigner, for you were foreigners in Egypt.

Leviticus 19:33-34  “‘When a foreigner resides among you in your land, do not mistreat them. 34 The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the Lord your God.

We all began our human existence as “strangers” in need of unconditional welcome!

“Loving the Stranger” is the way of Jesus … it is the way of the community that bears His Name!

“The entire ministry of Jesus is appropriately captured in the phrase ‘divine hospitality to the stranger and sinner’  Jesus’ ministry was the rescuing love and welcome of God on display.  Jesus posture was one of inclusion and embrace.  He created a portal of heavens welcome for those who had been pushed out and shunned.” The Beautiful Resistance

1 Peter 2:10  10 Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

Ephesians 2:14-22   14 For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, … His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, 16 and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility.  18 For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.
19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. 21 In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.

What a dream for His Kingdom community – a place of “belonging” for all people.

We all were in “the other” group at one time …

but by the power of the ministry, cross and resurrection of Jesus

what was “the other” can now become “one another”.

1 John 4:11-12
11 Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 
12 No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.

Can you imagine a “one another” community of people

committed to the “life” and “lifestyle” of philoxenia in Jesus name!

It would be a place of belonging!

Point of Grace Online Worship - September 21, 2025

Point of Grace Worship 9.21.25      “You are Invited … into His beautiful Kingdom” Pt. 3

Part 3 – God’s Kingdom Rescue from Worry and Anxiety

Matthew 6:25-34
25 “Therefore, I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?
28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith?
31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

“… Your heavenly Father knows you need them…”

Jesus shifts our focus from “worry over ‘real needs’ being met” to the Presence and Promises of the Father!

Jesus is loving us in these words by legitimizing our needs while shifting our focus onto the role the Father has in meeting our needs.  And His loving willingness to do so.

“ 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

Jesus gives us a clear command for all of life but especially when worry and anxiety rise up. 
He says to “first” … “seek His Kingdom”. 
Both as a life priority and as a “go to” reality “seeking His Kingdom” is first! 
Sometimes when we are anxious, being told the “first” thing to do is such a rescue.

Focus on the promises in order to fulfill the command.

“34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

Prayer and “Seeking His Kingdom Reign”

Helpful prayer phrases to start with:

- “Jesus” ……….” “I need You!” …….. “Help me Jesus!”

- “Your Kingdom Come…over me and my worry about …”

“6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation,
by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 
7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, 
will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 
Philippians 4:6-7

Focus on the Father’s Presence and Promises   

- I can come with “anything” and “everything”!

- “the Peace of God …  will guard Your heart and mind in Christ Jesus”

Seek His Kingdom    

- Prayer              (talk it over – name the anxieties)
- Petition            (What is my “ask” … What do I think I need?”      
- Thanksgiving  (Give thanks to God for His goodness in the situation.)

Receive His Peace  

“Jesus, I receive You and Your peace in this situation!”      

Point of Grace Online Worship - September 14, 2025

Point of Grace Worship 9.14.25      “You are Invited … into His beautiful Kingdom” Pt. 2 

Part 1 - The King of the Kingdom –
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened … for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” – Jesus (Matthew 11)

Part 2 – Life in the Kingdom
Colossians 1:13-14 “13 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”

Two Beautiful Kingdom Realties that Rescue Us

Love and Forgiveness

“… into the kingdom of the Son he loves, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” Col. 1:13-14

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  John 3:16

See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! 1 John 3:1

15 All who declare that Jesus is the Son of God have God living in them, and they live in God. 16 We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. 17 And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect.  1 John 4

10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11 Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. 1John 4

7 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come:[a] The old has gone, the new is here! 18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19 that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.  2 Cor. 5

12 And forgive us our (sin) debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors…….
14 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.  Matthew 6

The Beautiful Rescue

God’s Love and Forgiveness gives me identity, that I receive by faith,
as a “Beloved and Forgiven Son/Daughter” of God. 

By faith,

-        I am Loved by my Father in Heaven

-        I am Forgiven, Redeemed and Restored in my relationship with my Father through Jesus,

-        I am empowered by the Holy Spirit in me to take refuge in the Love and Forgiveness of God renouncing all Kingdom of Darkness temptations to hate, belittle, be bitter, take offense, hold on to unforgiveness and justify the same.

-        “I forgive everyone and everything” in the name of Jesus.

Point of Grace Online Worship - September 7, 2025

Point of Grace Worship 9.7.25        “You are Invited … into His beautiful Kingdom” Pt. 1

The King of the Kingdom

Mark 1:14-18
14 After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. 
15 “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!” 16 As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 17 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” 18 At once they left their nets and followed him.

Why the urgency?

Colossians 1:13-14 “13 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”

“From God’s perspective there are only two kingdoms, or “countries”, in this universe…
There is God’s Kingdom or satan’s.  That’s it.  Those are Your choices.
I think this will be somewhat of an epiphany for most of you.”
John Eldridge - Experience Jesus. Really.

“The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”

Matthew 11:28-30 28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Phillipians 2:5-8
In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant,
    being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man,
    he humbled himself
    by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!

“The beauty of the incarnation is exuding with humility.  If the incarnation is the masterpiece, radical humility is the ethos.  One cannot look at this piece of art, read this story, listen to its beautiful tune and not smell taste hear and see humility.  This is a profound and progressive step down into greater lowliness.  He is God, but did not grasp at this, so He came as man… but not just as a man (like a rock star arriving to be worshipped) but as a bond-servant.  And not just a servant but one that would …. well … be obedient to the point of death, even death on the cross.”
(Zach Meerkreebs, Lower)

Just gaze at the stunning beauty of Christ’s humility.
His “gentle and humble” heart in action. 
His heart is the safest place in the universe.